ECMENISM AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

By “Ecumenism” we understand the desire many Christians feel today for contact with believers of other confessions and for community of faith.

“Ecumenism” explicitly includes a willingness to learn
from the religions tradition and community of others
in order to participate even more intensely in the
fullness which Christ wants to give the world in and
through his church, and to realize together the one
church which is to be the ecumenical inhabitable
house of the lord for the entire world”

The Catholic church has always intended the unity of all Christians. It has conceived Christian unity as the return of lost sheep to the one sheepfold of Christ where Peter was the chief shepherd.
“Catholic Ecumenism strives towards the participation
of catholics in the one great movement towards unity
which the Holyspirit has called into being throughout
the entire Christian world in our time”

Ecumenical movement was prompted by the Holy Spirit, the one spirit, of the body of Christ, it is one single movement, implanting in the hearts of Christians of every denomination the urge to come together in a single communion. This single communion is made visible in the single fellowship of the blessed Trinity.
“The Lord of Ages nevertheless wisely and patiently
follows out the plan of his grace on our behalf, sinners
that we are. In recent times he has begun to
bestow more generously upon divided Christians
remorse over their divisions and longing for unity” .

The part of individual Christians and of all Christian denominations is simply to follow the call of the Holy Spirit and take their part in the general movement towards unity which he has created. The aim is the same for all to seek fullness and catholicity, the full flowering of the christian truth, unity and charity.

“This grace is also among our separated brethens
There is increases from day to day a movement,
fostered by the grace of the Holy spirit, for the
restoration of unity among Christians. Taking part
Everywhere large number have felt the impulse of
in this movement, which is called ecumenical, are
those who invoke the triune God and confess Jesus
as Lord and saviour”

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only son into the world, so that we might live through him (1Jn 4:9). Not only for the nation, but together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad( John 11:52.)

1.3 ECUMENISM AND THE PRE-VATICAN II CHURCH